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DUKE 
UNIVERSITY 


DIVINITY  SCHOOL 
LIBRARY 


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A    BRIEF 

ACCOUNT 

OF    TkE    LATE 

REVIVALS   of  RELIGION 

AMONG   THE 

CONGREGATtONALISTS  arid  BAPTISTS, 

IN    A 
NUMBER    OF    TOWNS    IN    THE 

KEW-ENGLAND    STATES, 

AND    ALSO    IN  ' 

NOVA-SCOTIA. 

EXTRACTED  CHIEFLY  FROM  LETTERS  WRITTEN  BY 

.SEVERAL  GENTLEMEN  OF  UNQUESTIONABLE 
^  VERACITY. 


^^/(I..  ^^^^-^  ^y 


*a»Q^  <g|>'®»»Qcr. 


boston:  printed. 

BRISTOL  :    KE-PRINTED    by    biggs   and    COTTLE. 

1800, 


II  Mi—iaufji,j— a— fa 


A  BRIEF  ACCOUNT,  &c. 


EXTRACT    I. 

Mr,  S IV- ,  of  IV'indham,  in  Connt^icuit  thus 

li'ritcs  io  his  Friend  171  Bojion. 

Windham,  Oft.  2,  179S. 
iiVz'.  and  dear  Sir, 

YOU  will  pardon  me  for  troubling  you  with  a  line 
from  fo  unworthy,  though  finctre  a  friend.  It  is  a 
time  of  general  Health  in  thefe  parts  ;  but  this  is  nbt  the 
belt  news  with  which  Ifliall  acquaint  you  :  for  "  as  cold 
water  to  a  thirfty  foul,  lb  is  good  news  from  a  far  country." 
God  is  carrying  on  a  glorious  work  in  fcveral  towns  in  thefe 
parts.  The  work  began  in  the  firft  fociety  at  Ma?isfehl,  about 
five  or  fix  months  ago,  in  a  very  gradual  manner ;  but  foon 
took  a  very  rapid  fpread  in  the  weft  part  of  the  town.  A 
feimon  preached  in  that  neighbourhood  at  a  funeral,  hj 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Shearman,  was  greatly  blefTed.  The  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  feemed  to  fweep  all  before  it  like  an  overflow- 
ing flood,  though  with  very  little  noife.  It  is  wonderful 
to  fee  the  furprizing  alteration  in  the  people  in  fo  fliort  a 
time.  I  conclude  there  are  not  lefs  than  an  hundred  fouls 
converted  in  that  town  fince  the  work  began.  Soon  after, 
it  began  in  Hampton,  bat  did  not  fpread  with  tbe  fame 
rapidity  as  it  did  in  MansfeJd.  The  like  happy  work  has 
lately  taken  place  in  AJliford,  in  the  Rev.  Mr,  Pond's  foci- 
ety, with  a  good  degree  of  power.  It  has  alfo  fpread  into 
the  fecond  fociety  in  Mansfield,  under  the  paftoral  care  of 
Rev.  Mr.  JFelJh  ;  alfo  in  the  upper  part  of  Canterbury,  and 
lately  in  Abington  in  Pomfret.  ^  _ 

Dear  fir,  we  may  fay,  in  the  midfl  of  judgment  God  is 
fhewing  himfelf  marvelloufly  good  and  kind ;  and  tho' it 
feemed  our  land,  a  few  months  ago,  was  fully  ripe  for  de- 
ftruftion,  and  the  hot  thunderbolts  of  divine  wrath  were 
hanging  over  our  heads,  yet  God  has  made  a  rich  difplay  of 
his  grace,in  the  converfion  of  many  fouls.  One  thing  is  re- 
markable in  this  reformation,  there  is  fuch  evidence  carried 
in  the  work,  that  none,  or  but  very  few  dare  to  oppofe  it. 
Bigotry,  which  was  fo  common  between  the  Standing  Or- 
der, or  the  Congregationalifts,  and  tht  Ditfenters,  is  done 
away. — This  work  is  chiefly  among  the  Standing  Order. 


Oiv.S. 


EXTRACT    II. 

Containing   a  furlher  account   of  the  fame  luorl,  in  a  Leitet 

from  the    Bev.  E P ;    to  his  Parents,   dated 

"AJhford,  September  24,  17Q8. 

Honored  Parefits,  ,     ,    . 

I  MUST  inform  you  of  the  work  of  God,  which  is  go- 
ing  on  in  thefe  parts.  Early  in  May,  an  attention  to 
religion  began  in  the  fird  fociety  in  Mansfield,  which  in- 
creafed  to  a  great  degree,  fo  as  to  become  general.  It  then 
began  in  Hampton,  where  it  is  as  general  as  in  Mansfield, 
About  four  weeks  fince,  it  began  here,  and,  for  the  time, 
has  fpread  very  faft  ;  fo  thst  about  eighty  have  been  under 
great  concern  :  Of  this  number,  nearly  twenty  have  a  good 
hope  theyr  have  been  "  born  again."  The  work  feems  to 
be  fpreading.  In  one  family  of  my  people  who  have  only 
three  little  daughters,  the  eldeft  fifteen  years  old,  they  all 
give  evidence  that  they  have  been  born  again  !  The  work 
has  alfo  began  in  Mr.  Weljlis  fociety  in  Mansfield;  and  the 

profpe6ts   are   very  favorable  in    XVefiford. Do  unite  iti 

prayer  that  God  would  pour  out  his  Spirit  upon  you.  If 
only  two  or  three  can  be  induced  to  engage  don't  omit  it* 
This  feems  to  have  been  the  beginning  of  the  work  in 
Mansfield. 

EXTRACT    III. 

Containing  an  account  of  the  hcginning  cf  the  reformation  in 

Hartford,  in  a  Letter  from  the  Rev.  S S.  iV— — -, 

efthat  City,  to  his  friend  in  Bofion,  dated  January  14,  1799* 

Kev.  and  dear  Sir, 

GLORIOUS  revival  of  religion  has  latfely 
taken  place  among  us.  Two  of  my  brothers- 
in-law,  the  youngeft  about  12  years  old,  and  the  other  four- 
teen, had  been  under  deep  convldion  at  limes,  for  icveral 
weeks  beforeoar  laft  Thankfgiving ;  and  on  that  day,  whilfl 
I  was  preaching,  the  youngeft  was  bleft  with  great  peace 
in  believing,  and  went  home  with  his  foul  overflowing  with 
joy.  This  afleded  the  whole  family  ;  feveral  of  whom  we 
truft,  could  rejoice  with  him ;  all  the  reft  were  much  alarm- 
ed, and  led  to^cry  out  under  pungent  convidion,  **  What 
fhall  we  do  to  be  faved  ?"  From  this  time  it  has  Iprcad 
from  houfe  to  houfe,  and  from  heart  to  heart,  till  almoft 
the  whole  Cky  has  got  alarmed. 

I  think  as  many  as  15  or  20  have  been  hopefully  convert- 
ed }  many  more  arc  under  painful  convictions,  and  the  work 
itili  fpreading.    It  has  alfo  extended  its  happy  influence 


■A 


(  *  ) 

among  the  other  denominations,  who  have  fet  up  religiou* 
conferences,  and  welcome  its  approach. 

We   have  meetings  almoft  every  evening  in   the  week. 
Here  is  imc\y  a  Macedonian  cry.  *'  Do  come  over  and  help 

us." 


EXTRACT    IV. 

Containing  a  further   account  of  the  fame  ivork,  in  a  Letter 

from  the   Rev.    J B ,   dated  at   Trumbidlj 

February  6,   1/99,  ^o  his  friend  at  Newhury  Port. 
My  dear  Friend  and  Brother. 

THROUGH  thp  V\nA  hand  of  God,  I  arrived  here; 
yefterday.  1  ftopped  at  Hartford,  and  preached  five 
fermons. 

The  fpirit  of  hearing  at  Hartford  is  greater  than  any  rc- 
prefcntalions  that  have  been  made.  Young  people  of  both 
fexes  flock  by  hundreds,  and  the  profped  is  flattering  in 
the  extreme.  Conference  meetings  are  held  every  night 
in  different  private  houfes.  In  Mr.  Strongs  fociety,  6o  are 
thought  to  be  under  convi6tion,  and  20  have  been  hopefully 
brought  into  gofpel  liberty.  In  Mr.  Nclfons  30,  and  fome 
in  Mr.  Flint's. 

The  youth  hold  corrcfpondence  one  with  another  by  let- 
ters, and  with  thofe  of  the  neighboring  towns.  Hundreds 
are  under  fome  ferious  concern,  while  hundreds  more  fland 
aftoniflied,  and  are  ready  to  cry,  "  What  ineanet/i  alh./m  .-?" 

The  Lord  feems  to  have  fl:epped  out  of  the  ufual  path  of 
ordinances,  to  efl^eft  this  work  more  immediately  in  the  dif- 
plays  of  his  almighty  power,  and  the  efl'ufion  of  his  Spirit  j 
probably  to  fliew  that  the  work  is  his  own.  It  is  not  attend- 
ed with  noife  and  confufion,  but  with  folemnity  and  reve- 
rence. No  fire  J  no  rufliing  wind  j  no  earthquake  :  but  a 
ftill  fmall  voice  goes  before  this  wonderful  work  ;  no  doubt, 
to  hide  pride  from  man.  The  minillers  are  ftirred  up  to 
uncommon  diligence  and  labor,  fo  that  they  have  fcarcely 
time  to  prepare  for  public  exercifes. 

The  facred  flame  has  fpread  into  many  neighbouring 
towns*  and  the  pious  are  flocking  into  Hartford  to  be  eye- 
witnefles  of  this  glorious  work.  I  have  felt  myfelf  fo  much 
engaged  in  preaching,  vifiting,  and  converfing  with  old  and 
young,  that  my  attention  has  been  literally  taken  off^  from 
Wife,  Children,  Flock,  and  bodily  infirmities.  O  that  my 
paft  time  had  been  better  employed  and  filled  than  it  has 
been.  Should  my  health  be  continued,  I  hope,  by  the  grace 


♦  It  ii  mentioned  in  a  letter  of  April  25,  from  a   rcfpe6lable  cha- 
raelcr  in  Uartford,  that  it  has  fpread  into  nearly  one  hundred  towns. 


(     5     ) 

•fGodtofpend  my  ftrength  wholly  in  the  Lord's  caufc, 
which  carries  its  own  reward  with  it. 

Two  hundred  miles  N.  W.  of  Hartford  on  the  border  of 
the  Indian  nations,  I  am  informed  that  the  Lord  is  pouring 
out  his  Spirit  plentifully.  The  Aboriginesf  flock  to  hear  the 
Gofpel,  and  fall  under  the  word  like  Dagon  before  the  Ark. 
I  have  feen  a  preacher  from  thofe  parts,  who  gives  the  moft 
flattering  accounts,  and  informs  me,  that  very  large  numbers 
have  been  added  to  the  churches  in  that  vicinity,  the  laft 
year. 

.  After  the  fermon  was  finiihed  upon  a  late  occafion  in  the 
woods,  an  Indian  flood  up  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  thus 
adrelfed  the  audience  :  "  I  delire  to  blefs  God,  that  white 
people  ever  came  into  this  country.  White  people  brought 
the  Bible,  and  the  religion  of  Jefus  with  them.  White  peo- 
ple prayed  for  the  converlion  of  the  heathen,  and  I  ftand  up 
this  day  as  a  living  witnefs  of  the  power  of  God's  convert- 
ing grace  m  anjiver  to  their  prayers.  Continue  to  pray  for 
the  converlion  of  more  heathens,  that  they  alfo  may  be 
brought  to  the  knowledge  of  Jefus." 


EXTRACT    V; 

IRev.  Caleb  Blood,  a  Baptijl  Minijier  of  Shaftfhwy,  hi 
the  State  of  Vermont,  gi'ves  the  foUonving  particulars  of  the 
reformation  in  that  T(nvn. 

ReiK  Sir,  Feb.  21,  lygg. 

I  AM  fenfiblc  that  under  too  grcata  degree  of  animation, 
even  Chriftlans  too  often  exaggerate  their  accounts  of 
revivals  of  religion.  But  I  will  attempt  a  fimple,  but  Ihort 
narrative  of  the  late  wonderful  work  of  God  in  this  place. 

In  the  month  of  April  laft,  there  appeared  nothing  among 
this  people  but  the  moft  rapid  increafe  of  every  jpecies  of 
vice  and  immorality  ;  and  even  profeirors  had  grown  cold 
as  to  religious  exercifes. 

Towards  the  laft  of  that  month,  it  pleafed  God  to  vifit 
my  poor  foul  with  fome  fenfe  of  my  own  vilenefs  and  lliort 
comings,  and  how  little  I  had  done  for  God  and  the  good 
of  fouls.  At  this  time  I  think  I  had  a  glimple  of  the  infi- 
nite character  of  Jehovah,  which  made  me  ihrink  into  noth- 
ing in  my  own  efteem  ;  then,  to  my  aftoniftiraent,  my  foul 
was  ftrangely  drawn  forth,  at  particular  times,  in  fecret 
prayer,  for  the  falvation  of  linners.  Repeated  exercifes  of 
this  kind  gave  me  a  ftrong  confidence,  that  the  Lord  would 
foon  work  falvation  in  this  place.  There  were,  however, 
no  favorable  fymptoms  among  the  people  until  the  month 

f    Or  native  Indians. 


.(    6    ) 

of  July  ;  then  a  young  woman,  who  had  been  converted 
fome  years  before,  wasftirred  up,  to  propofe  herfelf  for  bap» 
tifna.  Her  converfation  was  made  the  mean  of  the  awaken- 
ing of  a  number  of  young  people.  Thus  the  work  began. 
In  Aaguft,  four  perfons  more  were  baptized.  In  Septem- 
ber, I  baptized  feventeen.  Many  were  awakened  by  the  fo- 
Jemnity  of  this  ordinance.  (Indeed  I  think  there  was  no 
one  mean  more  blefTed  for  the  convidtion  of  tinners,  through 
the  whole  courfe  of  this  work,  than  the  adminiftration  of 
baptifm.)  But  to  return  ;  we  as  yet  held  our  church  con- 
ferences, to  hear  the  relations  of  candidates,  but  once  a 
month.  At  the  clofe  of  October,  we  were  obliged  to  attend 
two  days,  and  then  were  not  able  to  hear  all  that  wifhed  to 
relate.  The  next  Lord's-day  was  a  fevere  ftorm  ;  baptifm 
was  omitted  :  The  church  attended  two  days  of  that  week 
alfo,  to  hear  the  young  converts  declare  what  the  Lwd  had 
done  for  them.  I  was  then  under  the  neceffity  to  call  for 
alliftancc  in  adminiftering  baptifm.  Accordingly,  brothe* 
Samue/  Rogers  atteaded  the  next  Sabbath,  and  we  baptized 
46  that  day.  We  then  found  it  neceflar/  to  hold  our 
church  conferences  to  hear  relations  once  a  week.  The 
next  Sabbath  I  baptized  21  ;  the  next  l6  ;  the  next  13  j 
the  next  g  ;  and  there  have  been  but  a  few  weeks  fince,  that 
I  have  not  been  called  to  the  precious  work  of  baptizing. 
Zion  s  gates  were  then  truly  thronged  with  converts  ! 

The  whole  number  added  to  this  church,  lince  laft  May, 
is  1/5  ;  25  by  letter  and  other  ways  ;  and  150  by  baptilm. 
Our  whole  number  is  346.  Many  of  this  number  are  remov- 
ed into  different  parts  of  the  country  ;  there  are,  however, 
nearly  300  that  live  in  this  vicinity,  the  remoteft  of  them 
not  more  than  fix  miles  from  our  meeting-houfe. 

There  have  alfo  been  70  added  to  the  Weft  church  in  this 
town  fince  the  work  began  ;  and  13  to  the  Eaft  church. 

As  to  the  principal  means  by  which  this  work  has  been 
carried  on,  I  muft  fay,  that  no  one's  little  or  great  preaching 
can  juftly  lay  any  claim  to  the  honors  of  it.  Several  breth- 
ren in  the  minillry  have  vilited  us  in  the  time,  and  all  of 
them  were  bleffed  in  their  labors.  A  brother  Jones,  from 
'England,  was  an  inftrunient  of  awakening  fome. 

i  have  been  fillrd  with  wonder  and  aftonifliment,  to  fee 
how  the  Lord  hi»s  been  pleafed  to  fucceed  forac  of  almoft  all 
the  preaching  that  has  been  in  this  town  fince  I  have  been 
here.  Even  when  I  had  mourned  and  thought  I  had  la- 
bored in  vain,  and  that  my  preaching  was  as  water  fpilt  upon 
a  rock  ;  the  Lord  has  now  made  it  manifeft  that  he  defigned 
it  for  the  good  of  fouls.  O  my  brother,  let  us  never  be  dif- 
couraged  j  we  cannot  always  tell  when  our  labors  are  blefT- 
ed.   1  cannot  fay  how  many^   but   the  Lord  has  made  my 


(    7    ) 

poor  weak  efforts  the  means  of  awakening  a  conficferabl« 
number.  But  the  greateftpart  of  the  people  have  beenawa- 
kened  by  attending  the  folemnityof  baptifm,  and  by  convcr- 
fation  one  with  another.— Indeed,  the  moft  that  I  can  fay 
is.  It  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes. 

There  has  not,  in  years  paft,  been  the  moft  cordial  fellow- 
fhip  between  the  three  bnptift  churches  in  Shaftjhury;  but  the 
Lord  has  now  cffeded  a*happyunion  between  us.  On  the  laft 
Lord's-day  in  January,  we  all  met  at  one  communion  table. 
That  happy  day'  my  foul  had   dedred  for  years.     Nothing 
but  experience  could  iiave  made  bqc  believe  it  poflible,  that 
I  could  have  felt  fo  much  folid  delight,  anticipated  fo  much 
trouble,  and  rejoiced  with  fomuch  trembling,  at  one  and  the 
fame  time,  Ihat  day  1  truft  will  nevet-  b<e>  forgotten  by  me. 
The  north  part  of  'Bennington^  which  lies  fouth  of  us,  has 
fliared  coniiderably  in  this  grace,  feveral  from  thence  have 
joined  the  churchesin  this  town,  and  fomc  few  members  from 
the  town  north  of  us ;   but  the  greateft  part  that  have  been 
wrought  upon  are  within  this  town  which  is  fix  miles  fquare. 
In  about   two  months  after  the  work  began,  the   whole 
town  fcemed  to  be  affeded.     Conference  meetings  were  at- 
ten^ded  two  or  three  times  in  a  week  in  almoft  every  neigh- 
borhood ;    and  it  was  furprifing  to  me,  that  f(*ircely  a  iingle 
inftance  appeared  of  any  over-heated  zeal,  or  flight  of  paf- 
iion  I     Both   fmners   under   convidion,  and  thofe  newly 
brought  into   the  liberty  of  the  golpel,   converfed  in  their 
meetings  with  the  greateft  freedom  5    they  fp^ikc  one  at  a 
time  a  few  words,  in  the  moft  folemn  manner  I  ever  heard 
people  in  my  life.     And  in  general  they  fpake  fo  low,  that 
their  alTemblies  muft  be  perfedly  ftill,  or  they  could  not  hear 
them  :  Yet  a  remarkable  power  attended  their  converfation. 
Sinners  would  tremble  as  though  they  felt  themf'elves  in 
the  immediate  prefence  of  the  great  Jehovah. 

Some  of  all  ranks  and  characters  among  us  have  been  ta- 
ken ;  from  the  moft  refpedable  members  of  fociety,  to  the 
vileft  in  the  place.  Some  of  our  jnojl  nnted  De'ijh  have 
bowed  the  knee  to  King  Jefns.  And  a  number  of  Uni'ver- 
falijfs  have  forlaken  their  delufions,  and  embraced  the  truth. 
^  In  the  revival  four  years  agolaQfummer,  we  then  receiv- 
ed ten  children  into  the  church,  aged  frotn  nine  to  thirteen 
years,  with  a  number  of  other  young  people  3  all  of  them  re- 
main in  good  flapding  with  us,  and  are  now  able  to  help 
others;  excepting  one,  who,  I  truft,  is  gone  to  the  church 
triumphant. ^  In  this  revival  we  have  received  fixteen  whofc 
ages  are  from  ni?ie  toff  teen  years.  From  nine,  I  have  bap- 
tized fome  of  almoft  every  age  up  to  feventy ! 

We  have  now  upwards  of  one  hundred  unmarried  perfoni 
in  this  church.    Theic  are  alfu  a  large  number  of  youths 


(  »  ) 

who  have  joined  the  other  churches  in  this  town.  O  my 
God  !  keep  them  in  the  love  of  the  truth  !  My  very  foul 
trembles  when  I  think  of  them.  There  is  not  a  fufficient 
number  of  young  people  now  left  in  the  town  (who  can 
unite)  to  carry  on  their  merry  meetings.  Every  company 
of  them  is  broken  up. 

I  lately  enjoyed  the  happinefs  of  having  upwards  of 
feventy  youths  and  children,  that  were  profeflbrs,  to  vilit 
and  hold  a  conference  at  my  houfe  in  one  evening.  You 
may  guefs,  but  it  would  be  difficult  to  tell,  with  what  a 
mixture  of  joy  and  trembling  I  was  then  filled. 

The  fevereft  cold,  fnow  and  ice  we  have  had  this  tedious 
winter,  I  have  not  heard  once  mentioned  as  any  terror  to 
the  ruofl.  delicate  ladies,  yuung  or  old,  we  have  in  the  place  ; 
but  they  have  chearfully  followed  their  Divine  Redeemer 
into  the  liquid  grave,  without  the  leaft  intimidation. 

As  to  myfelf,  I  think  if  ever  I  knew  what  it  was  to  have 
extraordinary  ftrength,  it  has  been  within  a  few  months  paft. 
My  lungs,  which  1  had  thought  were  on  the  decay,  now 
ieemed  to  renew  their  youth.  Preaching  three  and  four 
times  a  week,  befides  attending  other  meetings  almoft  every 
day  for  months  together,  feemed  very  little  if  any  to  exhauft 
my  ftrength.  I  think,  of  all  men  in  the  world,  I  have  the 
greateft  caufe  to  be  humble  before  God,  for  his  abundant 
goodnefs  beftowed  upon  a  moft  unworthy  wretch. 

When  I  think  upon  ray  weaknefs  and  infufficiency,  and 
the  great  number  of  young,  inexperienced  Chriflians  com- 
mitted to  my  charge,  my  heart  fhrinks  within  me  ;  and  I  am 
ready  to  wifh  they  had  a  more  able  and  pious  watchman  to 
go  before  them.  But  all  the  hope  I  have  is,  that  He  who 
leadeth  Jofeph  like  a  dock  will  gather  the  lambs  in  his 
arms,  and  gently  lead  his  flock  into  the  flowery  fields  of 
gofpel  truth,  and  befide  the  ftill  waters  of  eternal  life. 

I  fometimes  anticipate  fo  much  trouble,  that  it  quite  ab- 
forbs  my  fpirits,  and  drowns  my  joy.  Then  I  think  it  beft 
to  rejoice  when  I  can,  and  let  to-morrow  take  thought  for 
itfelf. 

It  is,  however,  a  very  interefting  crifis  with  us ;  if  we  are 
faithful,  and  make  a  right  improvement  of  the  great  mer-  ^ 
ties  beftowed  upon  us,  we  may  continue  to  be  a  happy  peo- 
ple :  if  not,  a  ferics  of  trouble  and  forrow  awaits  us.  Dear 
brother,  pray  for  us  that  we  may  be  kept  in  the  love  of  the 
truth  ;  that  the  God  of  love  and  peace  may  ever  dwell 
with  us. 

I  muft  not  indulge  my  feelings,  I  fhali  intrude  upon  your 
patience. 


(    9    )t 

EXTRACT    VI. 

fA  Gentkman  in  Vemlrole   thus  writes  to  his  Friend  in  Bojfoti, 

Pembroke  April  2,  1799. 
Dear  Sir, 

C"^  OD  has  been  pleafed  to  begin  a  glorious  work  in  the 
X  firft  parifli  in  MarJhfielJ,  and  a  few  fcattering  drops 
in  towns  adjoining,  although  but  a  few  as  yet.  O  may  we 
all  be  enabled  to  wreftle  like  Jacob  and  prevail  like  Ifrael, 
Wc  need  the  prayers  of  all  who  have  an  intercll  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  be  kept  from  error  and  delu- 
sion. O  may  the  time  foon  come,  when  the  knowledge  of 
God  fliall  cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters  do  the  feas. 

As  to  the  prcfent  ftaie  of  tlic  icfurmaLiun  among  us,  tliere 
are  between  30  and  40,  in  a  judgment  of  charity,  brought  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth  j  and  more  than  that  number 
appear  to  be  under  ferious  imprefTions  of  mind. 


EXTRACT    VII. 

The  Bev,  P P ,  of  Dcsr-JJle,  ii^rites  thus  in  « 

Jjetter  to  his  Friend  in    Netvhury-Port. 

Decr-Ifle,  March  20,  1799. 
Dear  brother, 

IN  your  laft  letter  to  me,  you  wrote  you  had  heard  there 
was  a  revival  of  religion  fomewhere  in  thefe  parts  j  and 
defired  me  to  give  you  an  account  of  it. 

In  the  beginning  of  June  laft,  I  was  called  to  Mount 
Defert  to  adminifter  facraments  to  a  church  that  have  not 
ja  ftated  Paftor,  and  tarried  with  them  about  nine  days  ; 
when,  in  the  preaching  of  my  fecond  Sermon,  the  glory  of 
the  Lord  came  down  in  a  wonderful  manner.  One  convict- 
ed, and  hopefully  converted  under  that  Sermon,  was  added 
to  the  Church  about  two  days  after,  and  three  others  who 
had  before  obtained  a  hope.  Three  months  after  this,  I 
went  again  to  adminifter  the  Lord's  Supper,  at  which  time  I 
admitted  twenty-eight  who  had  hopefully  been  brought 
home  in  the  interval.  The  work  of  conviction  was  then  go- 
ing on  powerfullyin  that  town,  and  fpreading  into  thole  ad- 
joining on  the  fame  ifland.*  Our  alTociation  had  licenfed 
dear  Mr.  Ehene%er  Eaton  io\ive■^ch,  who  improved  his  talent, 
laboring  night  and  day  among  them,  whom  the  Love]  re- 
markably owned.  How  many  have  been  brought  out  iince 
I  was  there,  I  am  not  informed  ;  but  according  to  the  bell 
accounts,  there  arc  many.  The  Lord  multiply  the  number, 
and  add  to  the  Church  fuch  as  fhall  be  faved. 


*  Mount  Defert  is  an  Ifland  in  Pcnobfcott  Bay. 


(     10     ) 

I  now  come  a  little  nearer  home.  In  the  beginning  of 
winter,  this  glorious  work  began  in  Sedgxvick,  under  the  pai- 
toral  care  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Merrill.  Perhaps  there  hath 
not  been  a  v/ork  fo  powerful,  and  fo  much  like  the  work 
fifty-eight  years  ago.  In  a  time  of  fuch  cxlraordinaries,  it 
could  not  reafonably  becxpefted  but  fome  things  would  be 
a  little  wild  and  incoherent,  conlidering  the  various  tempers, 
infirmities,  and  difpofitions  of  mankind  :  But  I  believe  my 
young  and  dwr  brother  Merrill,  with  other  experienced 
Cbriftians  were  very  careful  to  diftinguilh  the  precious  from 
the  vile— to  correft  errors,  *'  to  fet  the  people  in  the  way  of 
bis  fteps,"  fo  that  there  appears  to  be  no  prevalence  of  en- 
tLiunalm  amonsj  them,  according  to  the  beft  information. 
How  great  the  number  of  thofe  who  have  been  brought  to 
hope,  I  am  not  able  to  give  any  tolerable  good  account  : 
Some  fay  there  are  about  an  hundred,  others  about  double 
that  number  :  I  believe  they  arc  all  very  uncertain.  Bleflcd 
be  God,  the  work  is  flill  going  on  there,  though  not  with 
Cfjnal  rapidity. 

And  now,  dear  Sir,  let  your  imagiHation  paint  to  your 
view  the  ftriking  fcene  of  an  hundred  fouls,  men,  women, 
and  children,  at  the  fame  time  under  the  work  of  the  law. 
The  tears,  fobs,  groans,  and  cries  ilTuing  from  fcores  at  a 
time  !  All  the  terrors  of  the  law  crowding  and  prefTing  in 
upon  them  j  their  fins,  in  infinite  numbersand  aggravations, 
ft:^ring  them  in  the  face  ;  all  their  old  vain  hopes  gone,  and 
cut  off,  and  every  refuge  failing  !  Hear  them  freely  confef- 
fing  their  old  abominations,  their  former  enmity  to  the  great 
do6lrines  of  original  fin,  eledtion,  the  fovereignty  of  divine, 
free  grace,  the  power  of  God  difplayexl  in  e.ffedual  voca- 
tion ;  above  all,  the  juftice  of  God  in  their  damnation  ! 
How  often  are  fouls  brought  out  into  the  peace  and  comfort 
oi  the  love  of  God,  and  the  fweet  confoladons  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  The  dead  hrar  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God,  and 
live.  Children  are  brought  to  cry  '*  HofHnna  to  the  Son  of 
David."  Indeed  this  glorious  work  has  been  wonderful 
among  children;  and  God  has  made  inftruments  of  thera  to 
perfcd  his  praife  in  carrying  on  his  work. 

This  blelFed  work  of  God  has  begun  in  Blue-Hill^  but 
as  yet  has  not  gained  the  afcendency,  I  fliall  therefore  come 
to  my  own  dear  people  of  Dcer-IJle.  And  here,  perhaps 
the  work  is  as  remarkable  as  at  Sedi^ivick,  but  not  fo  rapid. 
Not  more  than  eight  months  ago  it  appeared  to  me  that  re- 
ligion was  near  expiring  among  us,  except  in  a  very  handful 
(>f  profeilbrs  Deifm  had  taken  an  unaccountable  ftride,  and 
fpread  itlclf  over  a  great  number  of  the  inhabitants.  And 
now.  No  Bible,  no  Chrift  !  The  Chriftian  religion,  and 
Chriftians,  were  the  fong  of  the  drunkard  3  and  drunkenucfs 


(  11  ) 

and  eveiy  vice  was  deemed  harmlefs^  and  inoffenfive  to 
God.  I  had  no  reafon  to  think  but  hj  the  next  annual 
meeting  of  the  town,  they  would  vote  the  Gofpel  out  from 
thena.  When  the  aforementioned  work  at  Pcnohfcot  and 
Mount  Defert  was  going  on,  it  feemed  to  have  no  influence 
on  our  people.  This,  you  may  be  fure,  was  very  grievous 
to  me.  However,  I  think  I  was  enabled  to  bear  witnefs  to 
the  truth  with  great  freedom.  In  06tober,  I  perceived  2. 
more  clofe  attention  to  the  word,  but  nothing  Ipecial  as  3'et. 
After  I  was  confined  to  my  houfe,  the  work  began  to  ap- 
pear 3  and  though  I  could  not  go  abroad,  nor  preach  at  t!ie 
Aleeting-houfe,  there  was  feldom  a  day  but  more  or  lefs  vi- 
iited  me  undci  their  trnnhlp.  and  1  preached  in  my  own 
houfe  when  I  was  not  able  to  fland  on  my  fett.  At  length, 
we  had  the  affiftance  of^Mr,  E.  Eaton,  whom  God  remarka- 
bly owns.  I  believe  there  are  about  forty  men,  women,  and 
children,  who  have  obtained  a  hope;  and  great  numbers  are 
under  prefling  convi6tion.  The  work  is  now  on  the  increafe. 
May  the  Lord  continue  and  ftill  increafe  it  till  they  are  all 
brought  in.  The  mouth  of  deifm  is  at  prefent  flopped,  and 
againll  the  children  of  Ifrael  not  fo  much  as  a  dog  is  fufter- 
ed  to  move  his  tongue.  O  may  the  Lord  go  on  from  con- 
quering to  conquer,  till  the  whole  earth  fl:all  be  filled  with 
his  glory. 

Thus,  dear  Sir,  I  have  complied  with  3'our  defire.  If  yo« 
think  proper,  you  may  caufe  the  foregoing  Narrative  to  be 
printed  in  the  newfpapers.  Such  accounts  may  be -a  mea« 
of  putting  a  carclcfs  people  under  confideration. 


EXTRACT    VIII. 

A  Letter  from  a  perfojz  in  Deer-I/le,  to  a  Society  ivith  ivhicli  he 
is  co?meded  in  Neivbury-Pori,  dated  March  \5,   1790- 
Dear  Friends  and  Brethren. 

WHILE  1  am  partaking  a  rich  repaid,  I  lieartily  de- 
fire my  friends  may  have  a  ilia  re  of  a  feall  indeed. 
It  is  in  vain  for  me  to  attempt  to  defcribe  the  v/onders  of 
the  love  and  grace  of  God  manifefied  in  a  marvellous  man- 
ner among  us,  and  in  the  adjacent  parts.  It  !ia=;  pleafed  God 
to  vifit  us  by  the  out-pouring  of  his  blelTed  Spirit,  fo  thnt 
even  oppofers  acknowledge  it  to  be  the  work  of  God,  ot 
whom  fome  of  the  greateft  have  been  (I  hope)  lavingly 
wrought  upon. 

This  blelTed  and  glorious  work  firfi:  began  in  a  fmall 
neighborhood  that  have  lived  in  a  carelefs  and  negligent 
manner  as  to  their  attendance  on  the  means  of  grace  :  The 
bead  of  the  firft  family  that  was  wrought  upon,  is  a  man  of 
about  fixty  years  of  age  :    I  never  faw  him  at  meeting  but 


(     12     ) 

twice  fince  I  lived  on  the  Ifland,  before  this  winter  ;  God 
has  been  pleafed  to  vifit  him  and  his  wife,  and  they  both 
appear  to  be  humble  Chriflians,  with  feveral  others  of  that 
family.  The  work  is  daily  increafing  and  fpreading  through 
the  town  ;  there  were  4  or  5  brought  into  the  light  under 
one  fermon  this  weekj  there  have  been  Ip  perfons  come 
forward  and  made  a  public  profeflion  of  religion,  and  joined 
the  Church  already,  and  nearly  as  many  more  profcts  to 
have  a  hope. 

This  work  has  been  more  extenfive  in  Sedgivick  :  I  am 
credibly  informed  it  has  vifited  every  houfe  for  14  miles, 
and  about  one  hundred  fouls  are  hopefully  converted. 
What  fhali  we  fay  to  thefe  things  ?  ^  L^t  na  arlore  the  free 
grace  of  our  blcHed  God  and  Savior,  I  think  there  is 
great  encouragement  for  all  that  love  our  Lord,  and  have 
an  intereft  at  the  throne  of  grace,  to  plead  with  God  to 
fpread  this  glorious  work.  Let  us  all  adore  and  praife  his 
name  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  fonsof  men.  I  blefs 
God  that  he  has  given  me  to  fee  fuch  glorious  days  of  the 
Son  of  Man.  It  has  been  a  Sabbath  to  me  all  this  v/inter  ; 
I  have  enjoyed  a  continual  feaft,  and  find  it  good  to  wait  on 
God.  I  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  his  houfe,  than  to 
dwell  in  the  tents  of  fin. 

O  that  it  would  pleafe  God  to  caufe  a  glorious  ihower  of 
divine  grace  to  defcend  upon  you.  My  foul  longs  for  your 
falvation,  that  every  member  of  your  little  fociety  may  be  a 
partaker  of  the  heavenly  grace  j  may  this  be  a  mean  of  ftir- 
ring  you  up,  and  engaging  your  hearts  in  the  things  of  God. 
Let  not  worldly  cares  turn  your  attention  from  this  moft 
important  concern  :  Not  only  our  prefent  but  evcrlafting 
happinefs  lies  here. 


EXTRACT    IX. 

A  Letter  ivritten  by  Mrs.  A 5 ,  in  the  Dijiri^ 

ofMa'iTie,  to  the  Rev.  Jfaac  Backus,  at  MidJkhorough. 
Dear  Sir,  Litch field,  April  6.  1  /pp. 

THERE  has  been  a  wonderful  out-pouring  of  God's 
Spirit  in  thefe  parts  this  winter;  efpecially  among  the 
youth.  As  many  as  25  have  joined  this  church  this  winter, 
who  are  not  more  than  20  years  old  ;  and  one  lad  who  was 
but  ryne.  1  believe  there  is  not  one  houfe  mifled  for  feven 
or  eight  miles,  but  what  the  Lord  has  taken  fome  out  of  ev- 
ery family.  And  one  family,  who  but  a  few  years  ago  were 
In  open  oppofitlon  to  this  caufe,  7  out  of  11  have  now  pro- 
fcflcd  to  know  Jefus  Chrift  and  the  power  of  his  refurrec- 
tion  ;  one  of  whom  was  baptized  laft  Lord's-day.  And 
while  we  were  by  the  water  fide,  the  power  of  the  Lord 
eacae  dewn  like  the  rulhing  of  a  mighty  wind.  One  young 


(     IS     ) 

'Woman  was  fo  ftruck  with  a  fenfe  of  her  duty  that  flie  could 
not  ftand  on  her  feet.  The  people  feeing  her  faulter* 
thought  {lie  was  faint ;  but  fhe  faid  No,  no ;  her  friends 
Were  in  fuch  oppofition  to  the  Baptifts,  that  flie  had  never 
faid  any  thing  openly  about  religion. — In  the  afternoon  in- 
ftead  of  a  fermon  Ihe  told  her  exercifes,  and  two  more, 
who  were  baptized  the  fame  day.  We  thought  the  reform- 
ation was  almoft  over  in  this  place  j  but  we  find  the  Lord 
has  not  forfaken  us  ;  bleffcd  be  his  name,  he  is  ftill  giving 
us  a  tafte  of  his  Love. 


EXTRACT     X. 

Another  Letter,  dated  BozvJoinJham,  April  2^,  ^799,/rom  ihe 
Rezf.  Job  Macomher,  to  tbefajfie,  contains  thefolloivmg. 

SINCE  our  lafl.  affociation,  elder  JFiliiam  Stinfon,  who 
is  ordained  over  the  firft  church  in  Litchfield,  has  bap- 
tized 1 18.  The  greatelt  part  of  them  belong  to  that  town. 
The  winter  before  laft  there  was  the  moft  powerful  work  in 
Boivdoin  that  I  ever  faw  lince  I  came  into  thefe  parts.  It 
prevailed  through  the  town.  Elder  Potter  baptized  22  in 
one  day.  And  it  was  as  powerful  in  LitchfeU  lail  winter  j 
Elder  Stinfon  baptized  13  there  in  one  day.  Thefe  were  two 
as  cold  winters  as  were  ever  known  here.  I'hc  work  has 
now  begun  in  this  town.  Six  perfons  have  lately  manifefted 
a  change  of  heart  j  two  of  them  are  my  children.  The 
work  ftill  prevails. 


EXTRACT    XI. 

From  theUev.  J D ,  in  Nova-Scotia,  to  his 

Friend  in  Bojlon,  dated  Halifax,  May  25,  1799. 
Dear  Brother, 

NOTWITHSTANDING  many  complaints  as  to  the. 
ftate  of  religion  in  forae  parts  5  yet  God  is  raarvel- 
loufly  vihtmg  feveral  townthips  with  the  fliowersofhis  grace 
luA?mapoUsCoun\.y  the  following  places  have  fhared  larcre- 
^P  ^'^.^-  ^'■^'^■^^■^^'^>  Willmouth,  Nidau,  and  Ay-lesford.  In 
King's  County,  Horton  and  Cornivallis,  kave  been  wonderful- 
ly vifited.  Sinners  have  been  converted  to  God,  and  Chrif- 
tnns  to  their  duty.  Two  Pedo-baptiil  Minifters  have  been 
baptized,  and  a  great  many  young  converts.  The  three  laft 
facramental  occafions,  I  think  there  were  baptized,  the  ift 
thirteen— the  2d.  twenty-feven-the  3d.  twenty-eight. 

Ihere  are  alfo  favorable  fvmptoms  among  the  Dutch 
people  ztLunenburgh.  Many  of  them  who  had  been  vio- 
lent oppofers  of  religion,  having  fpent  all  their  arrows,  fay 
they  will  fight  no  more.  Some  are  under  verv  ferious  im- 
prellions,  and  a  few  hopefully  converted 


(     14     ) 
EXTRACT    XII, 

Cci?iiajrA?2g  a  further  account  ofthefin.^e  ivorTi,  hi  a  Letter  front 

the    'Rcj.  T //.  C ,    to  hh  Friend  i?i  Bojion,  dated 

Annapolis  in  Nova-Scotia,  July  15^  1799-* 
Dear  Sir, 

I  AM  conliUent  you  will  be  glad  to  hear  of  the  advance- 
ment of  Chrift's  Kingdont,  though  by  an  unllcilful  hand. 
Therefore  Ihall  attempt  to  give  you  forae  account  of  what 
God  has  done  among  us.  The  Fall  after  J  was  lailat  Bof- 
ton,  it  pleafed  God  to  vilit  our  Society,  at  tbc  lower  part  of 
Granz'ille  ;  it  was  a  bleiled  time  of  God's  power,  and  ad- 
ditions were  made  to  the  Church.  A  year  ago  laft  January, 
God  began  to  viht  us  here,  and  in  oar  Society  at  Willmjuthy 
where  I  preach  a  third  part  of  my  time.  It  has  been  amoft 
aftonilliing  time  of  God's  power,  fuch  as  I  never  knew  be- 
fore. I  cannot  give  you  a  full  defcriplion  of  it.  I  have, 
frequently  been  called  out  of  my  bed  at  night  to  vilit  diftrell^ 
ed  fouls.  They  have  fometiraes  been  brought  from  the  deep- 
eft  diftrefs  to  Ihout  the  praifes  of  the  living  God.  My  four 
eldeil  chrildren,  I  doubt  not  arc  made  partakers  of  grace 
divine.  Two  of  them  are  baptized.  Since  the  work  began^ 
I  have  baptized  173  perfons  (in  about  thirteen  months)  but 
not  all  in  our  church.  ComivalUs  and  Horton  have  fhared 
largely  with  us.  I  have  baptized  two  of  our  Miniftersf  laft 
furamer,  and  am  to  baptize  another  as  foon  as  I  can  go 
where  he  lives. 

Our  Congregations  have  increafed  greatly.  Laft  year  wc. 
built  a  new  Meeling-Houfe  at  the  upper  end  of  Granville, 
where  I  preach  a  third  part  of  my  time,  and  this  fumraer  wc 
have  enlarged  it  twenty  feet.  O  that  we  may  never  be 
hiorhminded  but  fear. 


EXTRACT    XIII. 

From  a  Minijicr  in  Conne^icut,  to  his  Friend  in  BoJlon. 
Dear  Brother  in  Chriji.  Lyme  June  30,  1/99. 

ACCORDING  to  your  ^^^w^.,  I  will  endeavour  to  de- 
fcribc  fome  of  the  effects  of  the  glorious  work  of  God 
in  this  place,  the  preceding  Fall  and  Winter.  Previous  to 
which,  I  miift  inform  you,  there  was  a  great  ftupidity  on  the 
minds  of  our  brethren,  who  appeared  to  dwell  in  their  ceiled 
houfes  while  the  honfe  of  God  lay  wafte.  There  were  a  few 
vlrops  in  the  month  of  Auguft  ;  but  on  the  firft  LordVday 

*  In  1701,  there  were  four  Baptift  Churches  in  Nova-Scotiay  the 
l)rincipal  Minifter  was  Henry  Chiipmart.     Sec  Afplund's  Regifter. 

\  This  Connexion  or  Aflbciation  was  formed  of  Pcdo  and  Anti-pcdo- 
baptifls. 


(     15     ) 

in  September,  many  began  to  be  alarmed  j  we  therefore 
thought  it  our  duty  to  appoint  a  day  of  falling  and  prayer, 
which  was  on  the  feventh  day  of  the  fame  month. — There 
was  an  univerfal  Iblemnity,  and  profound  attention  obferved 
on  the  face  of  the  alTembly,  which  exceeded  any  thing  1 
ever  faw  before. — It  was  a  fad  day  indeed.  The  faints  arofe 
by  confeflion  of  the  infinite  evil  of  fm, — with  fixed  refolu- 
tion  to  lead  a  new  life, — And  in  the  clofe  of  the  day  (like 
St.  Paul)  they  thanked  God,  and  took  courage.  After  this 
our  meetings  increafed,  and  the  blrlfed  effufions  of  the  Ho- 
ly Spirit  were  diftiiled  upon  us.  It  was  affecting  to  behold 
the  faints  exhorting  J  bnckfliders  returning  j  and  poor  fin- 
ners  crying  for  mercy.  On  the  firit  Lord's-day  in  Odober 
we  attended  on  the  ordinance  of  baptifm.  My  poor  foul 
v/as  warmed  with  the  love  of  God,  which  made  me  fpeak 
from  the  heart,  and  it  reached  the  hearts  of  my  brethren, 
and  the  dear  aficmbly ;  and  we  enjoyed  communion  with 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  at  the  Lord's  Table. 

After  this,  conferences  increafed.  My  brethren  were 
much  engaged  ia  prayer  to  God  for  the  effulion  of  his 
Spirit.  At  fome  of  our  conferences  there  was  a  great  folcm- 
nity  upon  the  youth  and  children  ;  one  of  whom  mourned 
that  Ihe  had  lived  in  lin  twelve  years,  till  Ihe  thought  <hc 
become  an  old  finncr;  but  it  pleafed  God  at  this  time  to  re- 
veal Chrift  to  her  and  many  others,  and  to  give  them  the 
hope  of  glory. 

On  the  firfl  Lord's-day  in  November,  I  baptized  two, — 
It  was  a  good  feafon.  The  ninth  of  this  month,  was  a 
memorable  night !  The  Lord  glorioully  manifefted  his  pow- 
er and  love  in  bringing  three  perfons  into  the  full  liberty  of 
the  Gofpel ;  one  of  whom  was  my  iit'th  child,  who  I  truft  is 
brought  into  the  Kingdom  of  Chrift.  Another  ih  agony  of 
foul  cried  out,  "  If  I  do  go  to  hell,  I  will  go  begging  for 
mercy  !"  and  her  diftrefs  increafed  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  Iho 
left  her  chamber  the  latter  part  of  the  night,  and  went  int« 
a  burying  yard,  and  fell  on  her  knees  in  great  difirefs,  till 
the  kind  Lord  revealed  himfelf  to  her  in  a  wonderful  man- 
ner. The  third  was  a  woman  near  forty  years  of  age,  who 
gave  a  clear  relation  of  the  love  of  God  to  her  foul.  Wc 
now  faw,  both  in  the  houfe  of  God  and  in  our  own  hoafes, 
the  fweet  influences  of  the  bleiTed  Spirit  bowing  £lout 
hearted  finners  to  the  fceptre  of  Emanuel. 

The  firft  of  December  was  our  Covenant  Meeting  pre- 
ceding the  Lord's-day,  which  was  taken  up  in  hearing  the* 
relations  of  candidates.  A  number  more  rdated  their  c.\- 
ercifes  the  day  following  ;  and  notwithlianding  it  was  averv 
levere  fnow  florm,  twelve  were  baptized,  a  number  uf 
whom  were  youths  from  ten  to  fifteen  years  of  age.  The 
faints  in  general  were  animated  with  the  love  of  God^   ar.il 


♦ 

JU 


wer.'  mighty  in  prayer  for  precious  foujs,  triumphing  ovcf 
the  united  powers  of  darknefs.  Indeed  it  is  aJmofl  beyond  my 
power  to  give  a  full  defcription  of  this  wonderful  fcene.  It 
is  alfo  to  be  remarked  that  our  brethren  of  the  Prefbyterian 
order  and  other  denominations  joined  with  us  in  promoting 
the  caufe  of  our  blefled  Redeemer.  About  this  time,  meet- 
ings on  week-days  were  appointed,  for  receiving  candidates, 
and  attending  to  baptifm  j  and  through  the  fevcrity  of  this 
tedious  winter,  I  never  heard  any  one  complain  or  fhrink  at 
the  crofs,  on  account  of  the  coldnefs  of  the  weather. 

This  work  has  been  glorioufly  carried  on  in  the.fpJrit  of 
love.  In  the  ^rft  part  of  ^t.  iliere  wap  ?rc3,t  outcrying,  but 
A  gradually  fubhded  into  a  free  deliberate  converfation  on 
the  dreadful  lituation  they  were  in  by  nature;  and  their  full 
determination  to  continue  feeking  till  they  iliould  find  him 
of  whom  Mofes  and  the  Prophets  did  write.  I  never  faw 
lefs  oppofition  to  the  work  of  God. 

The  principal  part  of  this  work,  was  in  our  Society  ;  but 
it  has  fpread  into  others  in  the  neighboring  towns.  More 
than  a  hundred  we  hope  have  received  the  grace  of  God  ; 
and  more  than  eighty  have  joined  the  church  under  my  care. 

When  I  confider  the  great  number  of  fouls  committed  to 
ray  charge,  andmy  own  infufficiency,  my  heart  fhrinks with- 
in me  ;  but  all  my  hope  is  in  the  great  Head  of  the  Church. 
My  daily  prayer  is,  that  he  would  grant  me  his  grace  as  an 
under  Shepherd,  to  difcharge  my  duty  towards  God  and  my 
dear  Flock,  during  my  few  remaining  days. 

The  number  of  members  under  my  care  atprefent,is  three 
hundred  and  thirty  fix. 

INFORMATION,  though  not  very  correa,  has  alfo 
been  received  from  a  number  of  towns  in  Che/hire  County, 
in  JVezu-Ham£/7jzr£,  of  a  very  pleafing  and  exlenfive  reform- 
ation. 

The  following  towns  are  faid  to  have  fhared  largely  in  it. 
\'iz.  Unity,  Marlmv,  Lcmfier,  Aljlead,  Ackzvorthy  Comi/^y 
and  Vlainfieldy  with  fome  others  in  that  neighborhood 
The  towns  of  Stratham  and  Neiv-Marlet,  in  Ncw-Hamp- 
Jhircy  are  favored  at  this  time  with  like  revivals  3  but  for  want 
of  accurate  documents,  a  particular  account  cannot  be  given. 

If  the  repentance  of  one  finner  caufes  joy  in  heaven  among 
the  angels  of  God,  what  fliouts  of  immortal  praife  mufl  have 
echoed  through  all  the  realms  of  blifs,  upon  the  acceflionof 
fuch  numbers  to  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom  ! 

O  Lord,  may  thy  Kingdom  come,  and  thy  will  be  done, 
on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven,  for  Chrift's  fake.     Amen. 

Brifid  :  Pr'm'id  by  Bifrt;*  OftdCcf 


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